100 Favorite Dishes: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry Shop

No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju's Little Curry ShopA curry bowl at Biju's stands out as an inspiring option for the first great dish of 2016. Owner Biju Thomas focuses on one thing — the bold flavors of South India — and weaves in themes that ring true for modern diners: a limited but well-executed menu; a variety of ingredients and textures all in one bowl; and lean and healthy options that still pack plenty of punch.

While all of the options — vegetarian, coconut or vindaloo chicken, or masala beef — are satisfying without being too heavy, we're particular fans of the braised beef swathed in a rich, brown sauce seasoned with ginger, garlic and warming spices. As you walk down the line of the fast-casual setup, just say "yes" to all of the options: stewed lentils, crisped cubes of potato, a squirt of yogurt sauce and a crunchy topping of cabbage slaw and papadam crumbles. Add a spoonful of blistering chutney — from a choice of three heat levels — and you've got a riot of colors and tastes atop basmati rice. Each bite yields something different, but the tender, saucy beef brings everything together; spikes of chile and cilantro come forward only to be brought in check by savory potatoes and rice.

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This is the way we want to eat in the new year: fresh, local ingredients with international influence brought together in a fun environment without pretension. Good food — especially when we're spending money in restaurants - should be innovative, unique and ultimately delicious. Biju's excels on all counts.

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For the next year, we'll be counting down the best dishes in the city — from longtime classics that keep us coming back to new additions that have caught our attention. If there's a dish you think we need to try, tell us about it in the comments section, or shoot us an e-mail at cafe@westword.com.

Hungry for more? Check out our slideshow of the best photos from last year's 100 Favorite Dishes.

Mark Antonation is the Westword Food & Drink Editor. He got his start by eating at and writing about every restaurant on Federal Boulevard and continues to cover metro Denver's diverse international food scene, as well as the city's quickly changing restaurant landscape. Mark was awarded Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association in 2018.

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